Method for preparing sugarcane stalks for subsequent processing

ABSTRACT

A method for preparing a mass of randomly oriented, slender cane stalks for subsequent processing at a selected location. The method is intended to deliver the stalks in cleaned condition, chopped into uniform, relatively shorter lengths and aligned longitudinally in their direction of motion. The method includes delivering the mass of stalks to a series of successively, more rapidly moving, conveyor means and subjecting the stalks to sudden vertical deflections at some of various junctions between adjacent ones of the conveyor means. At some of the junctions heavy debris (such as rocks) mixed with the stalks is caused to gravitate rearwardly and downwardly between adjacent ones of the conveyor means. At least one junction, leading portions of the stalks in the mass are also subjected to a force in a downstream direction aligned with their direction of travel upstream of the one junction. At another junction concurrently with vertical motion the canes are also subjected to a force in a direction downstream of the other junction, inclined transversely to direction of travel of the canes upstream of the other junction to exert a disentangling effect on the canes. The canes are progressively thinned out and aligned in the direction of travel and, at a point where substantially all the stalks are aligned in the direction of travel, they are chopped into shorter lengths while moving longitudinally. The chopped lengths are then realigned. At some point in their travel, the stalks are projected at high velocity across a vertical discontinuity in the conveyor means to cause the stalks to become partially airborne, at which time fluid is directed through the stalks to remove trash. Apparatus for preparing a mass of randomly oriented, slender cane stalks for subsequent processing includes a series of separate conveyors successively receiving the stalks. Some of the conveyors in the series are arranged with their downstream ends spaced vertically above and overlapping the upstream ends of the next succeeding conveyors to define cascading junctions, between adjacent conveyors at which a vertical deflection is imparted to the stalks. At least one pair of successively related, cascading conveyors have their respective directions of travel aligned and another pair of successively related, cascading conveyors have their respective directions of travel transversely inclined. With this arrangement, the stalks are subjected to simultaneous vertical and accelerating forces, the latter being at separate times in different perpendicularly related directions, thereby facilitating disentangling and alignment of the canes. A chopping means is positioned adjacent one of the conveyor means positioned sufficiently downstream, at a point where almost all of the canes are travelling longitudinally. The chopping means cuts the stalks transversely thereof into uniform shorter lengths, while they are moving longitudinally. Realigning means positioned adjacent the chopping means realign the chopped lengths of stalk in parallel relation. At some point in their travel, the conveyor means project the stalks at sufficiently high velocity across a transversely extending, vertical discontinuity in the series of conveyor means to cause the stalks to become at least partially airborne durIng which time fluid-directing means directs fluid through the stalks to remove trash.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Sydney E. Tilby Winterburn, Alberta,Canada [21 1 Appl. No 692,237 [221 Filed Dec. 20, 1967 [45] PatentedMar. 2, 1971 [73] Assignee Canadian Cane Equipment, Ltd.

Montreal, Quebec, Canada 54] METHOD FOR PREPARING SUGARCANE STALKS FORSUBSEQUENT PROCESSING 10 Claims, 15 Drawing Figs. [52] US. Cl 146/222,198/33, 198/30, 198/76, 46/117, 146/224 [51] Int. Cl B07b 4/08, B26d7/00 [50] Field of Search 146/222,

280, 116.1, l17;56/l6; 130/30; 198/33 (B-l), 30,

Primary Examiner-Willie G. Abercrombie Attorney-Burns, Doane, Benedict,Swecker & Mathis ABSTRACT: A method for preparing a mass of randomlyoriented, slender cane stalks for subsequent processing at a selectedlocation. The method is intended to deliver the stalks in cleanedcondition, chopped into uniform, relatively shorter lengths and alignedlongitudinally in their direction of motion. The method includesdelivering the mass of stalks to a series of successively, more rapidlymoving, conveyor means and subjecting the stalks to sudden verticaldeflections at some of various junctions between adjacent ones of theconveyor means. At some of the junctions heavy debris (such as rocks)mixed with the stalks is caused to gravitate rearwardly and downwardlybetween adjacent ones of the conveyor means. At least one junction,leading portions of the stalks in the mass are also subjected to a forcein a downstream direction aligned with their direction of travelupstream of the one junction. At another junction concurrently withvertical motion the canes are also subjected to a force in a directiondownstream of the other junction, inclined transversely to direction oftravel of the canes upstream of the other junction to exert adisentangling effect on the canes. The canes are progressively thinnedout and aligned in the direction of travel and, at a point wheresubstantially all the stalks are aligned in the direction of travel,they are chopped into shorter lengths while moving longitudinally. Thechopped lengths are then realigned. At some point in their travel, thestalks are projected at high velocity across a vertical discontinuity inthe conveyor means to cause the stalks to become partially airborne, atwhich time fluid is directed through the stalks to remove trash.

Apparatus for preparing a mass of randomly oriented, slender cane stalksfor subsequent processing includes a series of separate conveyorssuccessively receiving the stalks. Some of the conveyors in the seriesare arranged with their downstream ends spaced vertically above andoverlapping the upstream ends of the next succeeding conveyors to definecascading junctions, between adjacent conveyors at which a verticaldeflection is imparted to the stalks.

At least one pair of successively related, cascading conveyors havetheir respective directions of travel aligned and another pair ofsuccessively related, cascading conveyors have their respectivedirections of travel transversely inclined. With this arrangement, thestalks are subjected to simultaneous vertical and accelerating forces,the latter being at separate times in different perpendicularly relateddirections, thereby facilitating disentangling and alignment of thecanes.

A chopping means is positioned adjacent one of the conveyor meanspositioned sufficiently downstream, at a point where almost all of thecanesare travelling longitudinally. The chopping means cuts the stalkstransversely thereof into uniform shorter lengths, while they are movinglongitudinally. Realigning means positioned adjacent the chopping meansrealign the chopped lengths of stalk in parallel relation.

At some point in their travel, the conveyor means project the stalks atsufficiently high velocity across a transversely extending, verticaldiscontinuity in the series of conveyor means to cause the stalks tobecome at least partially airborne during which time fluid-directingmeans directs fluid through the stalks to remove trash.

PATENTED NNT 212m 3; 566; 944

SHEU 1 BF 3 r2. '6 1 w GEES Quill EL E:

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SEPARATION T T T PlTH RIND EPIDERMIS TREATMENT TREATMENT TREATMENT I aTo 1 T2 INVENTOR SYDNEY EDWARD TILBY ATTORNEYS PATENTED MAR 21971 SHEET2 OF 3 assess-4 METHOD FOB; PREPARING SUGARCANIE STALKS FOR SUESEQUENTPROCESSING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to amethod for preparing sugarcane stalks for subsequent processing, and inparticular to a method and apparatus intended to receive a bulk load ofrandomly oriented sugarcane stalks and to thereafter deliver the stalksto a selected work station in cleaned condition, chopped into uniform,relatively shorter lengths. A secondary function of the invention is toarrange for the chopped stalks to be aligned longitudinally in a commonfeed direction.

The present application is directed to a portion of a system forprocessing sugarcane. The system, as a whole, embraces various stagesinvolving feeding, splitting and depithing of the stalks with subsequentseparation of the sugar from the pith.

T he present application is directed to the above-discussed feedingportion of the system. This portion is intended to receive a bulk loadof stalks from a suitable source, such as for example a rail car or anyother conventional source of delivery of sugarcanes from the fields andto deliver the stalks at the sugar recovery plant in cleaned condition,with the individual canes chopped into relatively shorter lengths. As asecondary or collateral purpose, the chopped stalks are arranged to bealigned in parallel, longitudinal relation traveling in a common feeddirection to a delivery point. Although the present system has, forgeneral informational purposes, been described with reference to oneparticular sugarcane processing system for which it is suitable, it willbe appreciated that use of the present system is not restricted to theparticular system discussed, and that it may be used with equal facilityin other sugar processing systems.

In preparing sugarcane stalks for subsequent processing, it has beenknown to utilize machinery adapted to automatically cut the cane stalks(which frequently grow in a bent'and distorted configuration) intoshorter lengths to facilitate subsequent processing. It has also beenknown to combine cutting of the stalks with a trash removal operation byblowing air through the mass of stalks to carry away trash. in thisconnection, reference may be made to the following US. Pat. Nos:Tiedtke, 2,621,461; Moragne, 2,544,275; and Faulkener, 1,990,172.

Such previous devices may not, however, prove suitable for thepreparation of masses of randomly oriented sugarcanes delivered in bulkduring the performance of large-scale sugar processing operations. Forexample, such prior devices have generally been adapted to receivestalks arranged in some form of preexisting parallel alignment (either,for example, growing upright in rows in the fields or already cut downby laborers and laid in horizontal, parallel rows) permitting the stalksto be fedtransversely of their length directly to cutting knives usuallydisposed in spaced parallel relation. Such prior devices would not besuitable for dealing with a large, tangled mass of randomly orientedsugarcane stalks, such as would be dumped in bulk from a railway car orthe like. Furthermore, even if such randomly oriented stalks were feddirectly into spaced parallel cutting knives, it is likely thatsignificant proportion of the stalks, due to this random situation ofthe mass, would encounter the knives at a relatively oblique inclinationso that the chopped stalks would be of widely varying, unequal lengths.

it would therefore be desirable, and unobvious in view of the teachingsof the prior art, to provide asystem for aligning the stalks in parallelrelation so that they may be fed uniformly to equally spaced cuttingknives to provide uniform chopped lengths of stalk.

It has been proposed in other environments, such as canning, to align'amass of randomly oriented tubular articles (metal cans) by feeding thearticles along a series of successively more rapidly moving conveyorsaligned in a single feed direction, with successive conveyors beingdownwardly spaced from each other, so that the articles experienceconcurrent falling and downstream jerking; motions tending eventually toalign then longitudinally in the feed direction. Although thearrangement is generally satisfactory for straight, tubular,manufactured articles such as the aforementioned metal cans, particularproblems arise in the handling of naturally grown sugarcane stalks. Ahigh proportion of stalks grow in a bent and twisted configuration whichcauses the stalks to become closely tangled together during theirtransportation in bulk from the fields. In this condition, many of thestalks are likely to have their bent portions hooked about other canestalks in such relation as to permit the interengaged canes to be freedonly by movement of the stalks within the mass in a directiontransversely of the direction of travel thereof. However, prior aligningsystems, of the type described, provide dislodging forces only in theone direction of travel of the mass of stalks, which would leave many ofthe canes firmly entangled. v r

Another problem particularly associated with bulk masses of sugarcanestalks transported from the fields may arise due to the presence,amongst the stalks, of heavy debris such as large rocks and the like. Ifnot removed, such debris may cause serious damage to other portions ofthe apparatus such as the cutting'knives. It is advisable, therefore,that provision be made for the early removal of such unwanted, heavydebris from the massof stalks. Other lighter trash such as leaves,broken fragments of stalk and the like are advisably removed at someother point in the process.

For these, other'reasons, there is a real need at the present time for amethod and apparatus for receiving a bulk mass of randomly orientedsugarcane stalks, detrashing the cane, that is, removing extraneousmaterial such as rocks, field dirt, tramp metal and leaves; and thendelivering the cane for subsequent processing.

SUMMARY or run rNvsNrroN It is therefore a general object of theinvention to provide a method for preparing a mass of randomly orientedsugarcane stalks for subsequent processing, which method is intended toobviate problems of the type previously described.

It is a primary object of the invention to provide a method forreceiving a mass of randomly oriented sugarcane stalks in bulk, adaptedto deliver the cane stalks in cleaned condition, chopped into uniform,shorter lengths, for subsequent processing.

It is another object to provide a method adapted to operate on a bulkmass of tangled, randomly oriented sugarcane stalks in such a manner asto disentangle and thin out the stalks so that they may subsequently bealigned longitudinally for delivery to a selected location.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a method tofacilitate removal of heavy debris mixed with the sugarcane stalkstherefrom, at an early stage.

It is one further object of the invention to provide a method utilizingan airblast to remove trash from sugarcane stalks, whereby clogging ofthe trash amongst the stalks during removal is effectively minimized.

One method aspect of a preferred embodiment of the present inventionintended to accomplish at least some of the foregoing objects isintended to prepare a mass of randomly oriented, slender cane stalks forsubsequent processing. The method includes the steps of delivering themass of cane stalks onto conveyor means, aligning the stalkslongitudinally in the direction of travel of the conveyor means,chopping the stalks transversely into relatively shorter lengths, anddelivering the chopped stalks to a selected location. At some point,fluid is directed through the stalks to remove trash.

Another method aspect resides in positioning adjacent conveyor means inseries in such a manner as to facilitate downward gravitation of debriscarried with the stalks in a direction rearwardly relative to thedirection of travel of the mass of stalks.

An additional method aspect embraces the steps of delivering the mass ofcane stalks to conveyor means, accelerating the mass of cane stalks,aligning the stalks longitudinally in the direction of travel of theconveyor means, and projecting the mass of stalks at high velocityacross a transversely extending, vertical discontinuity in the conveyormeans to cause the mass of stalks to become at least partially airborne.Fluid is directed transversely through the mass of stalks during theirairborne condition to remove trash.

Another particularly significant method aspect of the invention intendedto disentangle, thin out and align the stalks includes delivering themass of stalks to the first of a series of separate conveyor means, andsubjecting the mass of stalks to a sudden vertical deflection at a firstjunction between two of the conveyor means in the series. At the sametime, the leading portions of the individual stalks in the mass aresubjected to a force in the direction of travel of the one of the twoconveyor means downstream of the first junction, with the directions oftravel upstream and downstream of the first junction linearly aligned,tending to accelerate the individual stalks in the direction of travelof the receiving conveyor. The

. stalks are then subjected to another vertical deflection at a secondjunction between the successive conveyor means of the series, andsimultaneously subjected to a force in the direction of travel of theconveyor means downstream of the second junction, but with thedirections of travel upstream and downstream of the second junctionrespectively inclined in transverse relation. The perpendicularlyrelated, successive jerking motions thus imparted to individual canestalks tends to free them from their tangled relation in the mass,whichever way they are oriented in the mass, and successivelyaccelerate, thin out and align the stalks.

Another method aspect connected with the aligning and thinning stepsincludes performing some of the aforementioned, vertical deflectingsteps in vertically opposite directions.

In other method aspects of the invention, the stalks are choppedtransversely of their length into uniform shorter lengths while thestalks are traveling longitudinally. Thus the stalks, which may beunmanageably bent along their total length, are reduced into smallerportions which are of such short length as to include insufficientcurvature to hamper subsequent processing.

An apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention forpreparing a mass of randomly oriented, slender cane stalks forsubsequent processing includes conveyor means adapted to convey the massof stalks in a feed direction. Aligning means, operatively connectedwith the conveyor means, are adapted to align the stalks longitudinallyin the direction of travel of the conveyor means. Chopping means,operatively connected with the conveyor means, are adapted to chop thestalks transversely thereof into relatively shorter lengths while thestalks are traveling longitudinally. At some point during their conveyedmotion, means are provided whereby the stalks are subjected to fluiddirected through the stalks to remove trash.

in another apparatus aspect of the invention, conveyor means areprovided to project the stalks, at high velocity, across a verticaldiscontinuity therein to cause the stalks to become at least partiallyairborne. While the stalks are at least partially airborne, fluid isdirected transversely through the airborne stalks by fluid directingmeans operatively connected with the conveyor means.

To perform the functions of disentangling the cane stalks in the bulkmass and aligning them longitudinally in the direction of travel,important apparatus aspects of the invention include a first pair ofseparate, successively related conveyor means having their directions oftravel linearly aligned. This pair of conveyor means defines a firstjunction adapted to subject the mass of stalks to an abrupt verticaldeflection and simultaneously subject the leading edge portions of thestalks in the bass to a force in the direction of travel of the one ofthe first pair of conveyor means receiving the stalks downstream of thefirst junction. A second pair of separate, successively related conveyormeans define a second junction. At this junction, the pair of conveyormeans are adapted to subject the mass of stalks to a sudden verticaldeflection and simultaneously subject the leading edge portions of thestalks to a force in the direction of travel of the one of the secondpair of conveyor means receiving the stalks downstream of the secondjunction. However, the receiving one of the second pair of conveyormeans is positioned so as to have a direction of travel inclinedtransversely of the direction of travel of the one of the second pair ofconveyor means upstream of the second junction. Thus, individual canesare individually subjected to intermittent, abrupt vertical deflection,with successive applications of force to the leading edges of individualcanes being in different perpendicularly related directions and tendingto disentangle the canes from each other and align them longitudinallywith their direction of travel.

In another aligning aspect, provision is made for subjecting the mass ofstalks, at the various junctions between successive ones of the conveyormeans, to vertical deflections in an upward direction as well as adownward direction.

Other apparatus aspects of the invention reside in the provision ofchopping means which alternately, grippingly advance and then cut thestalks while they are traveling longitudinally to provide choppedportions of uniform length. Also significant is the provision of meansfor realigning the chopped portions of stalk subsequent to chopping. Themeans for realigning the chopped portions of stalk. includes a pluralityof parallel, spaced ribs. Alternate ones of the ribs are higher thanintermediate ribs and are transversely spaced a distance greater thanthe length of chopped stalk. The adjacent, high and low ribs are spaceda distance significantly less than this length. It is thus impossiblefor any chopped portions of stalk to fall in bridging relation acrosstwo high ribs of the same height. The chopped portions of talk thus tendto fall into aligning channels defined by adjacent high and low ribs.These ribs may extend in a parallel, aligned direction above furtherconveyor means moving longitudinally beneath the ribs.

"Fl-IE DRAWINGS One preferred embodiment of the present invention isillustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG..l is a simplified plan view of a representative sugar caneprocessing plant utilizing an apparatus constructed in accordance withthe present invention to feed canes initially delivered in bulk, inaligned, cleaned, chopped condition to the plant;

F IG. 2 is a simplified, side view of a first series of conveyorsforming part of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 taken along the lines 2P2therein;

FIG. 3a is a side view of a first part of a second series of conveyorsforming a part of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 taken along the lines3-3 therein;

FIG. 3b is a view of a second part of the second series of conveyorsshown in MG. 3a extending continuously from the portion shown therein;

FIG. 4 is a perspective, partially broken-away view of a right anglejunction between the first and second series of conveyors shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a detrashing apparatus forming a part of theapparatus shown in FIG. 3:: taken along the lines 5-5 therein;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a stalk chopping and realigning section forminga portion of the apparatus shown in F 1G. 31');

FIG. 7 is a simplified, cross-sectional side view of chopping apparatusforming a part of the apparatus shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of realigning apparatus for realigning the stalkssubsequent to chopping, forming a part of the apparatus shown in FIG. 6;

FIG 9 is a cross-sectional end view of the realigning apparatus shown inFIG. 6 taken along the lines Q-l therein;

FIG. Ml is a cross-sectional end view of the realigning apparatus shownin FlG. 6 taken along the lines iii-it therein;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional end view of the realigning apparatus shownin FiG. 6 taken alongthe lines ill-ll therein;

FIG. 12 is a simplified side view of a first alternative embodiment ofthe invention; 1

.FiG. 13 is a side view on an enlargedscale of a portion of the firstalternative embodiment of the invention shown in MG. 112; and

FIG. 14 is a representational side view of a water spray bath forming apart of a second alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION General Summary Referring to FIG. 1 of thedrawings, one particular sugarcane processing plant, generallydesignated 2, is there shown utilizing an apparatus 4, to supplysugarcane to the plant.

The sugarcane processing plant 2 may include a separation unit 6 forsplitting individual cane stalks longitudinally and separating the canerinds from the pith (c'orernaterial of the cane), and adapted to feedthe separated pith, the rind and the epidermis to separate pith, rind,and epidermis treatment units 8, 1'0, and 12, respectively.

However, it will be appreciated that-the apparatus 4 of the presentarrangement may alternatively be used to supply cane to other knownforms of sugarcane processing plants, as desired.

The apparatus 4 of the present invention includes a first series id ofsuccessively related, separate conveyor means adapted to convey canestalks in large, randomly, oriented, bulk masses dumped from rail cars16. The canes may also be dumped from other conventional forms oftransport for sugar- -canes in bulk from the fields, such as, forexample, trucks,

' bined effect of thedeflecting motion and jerking force causes aninitial loosening of the tangled mass of canes. The cascade junctionscause heavy debris mixed with the cane, such as boulders from thefields, to gravitate downwardly between adjacent conveyors, in adirection rearwardly of the direction of travel of the canes. As thecanes travel progressively along the first'series id of conveyor means,then progressive acceleration tends to cause the mass to becomethinnedout in the direction of travel. I

The cane stalks are transferred from the first series 14 of conveyors toa faster moving, second series 18 of conveyors (FIGS. 3a and 312).Series 18 is disposed'transversely of the first series M to define aright angle junction 20 (FIG. 4)

cal displacement and at the same time, the leading portions of the canesfalling onto the first of the second series 18 are subjected byfrictional contact therewith to a downstream ac- I celerating force.This force imparts a strong, jerking force to the leading portions ofthe canes, which force is inclined transversely of the direction of canetravel upstream of the junction 20. At this time, any canes which haveso far been entangled in such relation as to be unaffected by thepreceding l jerking motions in the direction of travel of the firstseries 14 of conveyors, are suddenly subjected to a jerking force in adirection of the stalks are aligned in the direction of travel of thesecond series 1% of conveyors.

During their travel along the second series 13 of conveyors, the stalksare passed through a detrashing station 22 (FIG. d). At this station,the stalks are projected at high velocity across a verticaldiscontinuity in the second series 18 of conveyors to cause the stalksto become at least partially airborne. At this time, fluid is directedupwardly through the stalks to remove trash therefrom with the partiallyairborne relation between the stalks preventing clogging of the trashamong them, thus facilitating removal. The trash is subsequentlyconducted away, separated, and disposed of.

At the downstream end of the second series 18 of conveyors, the stalksare delivered to a chopping unit 24 (FIGS. 6 and 7) where they arechopped transversely of their length into shorter portions,of uniformlength, while moving longitudinally of their length. The choppedportions-of stalk are then realigned at a realigning unit 26 intoparallel relation, moving longitudinally in the direction of travel fordelivery to the processing plant 2.

The chopping unit 24 includes two mating, transversely extending, powerdriven, cutting rolls 2% and 30 provided with alternately spaced,transversely extending, peripherally mounted, gripping and cuttingmembers 32 and 34. Members 32 and 34 alternately grippingly advance theindividual canes and sever them transversely. The chopped portions ofstalk fall into a hopper 36 from which they are delivered by an upwardlyinclined conveyor 38 to the realigning unit 26.

The realigning unit 26 includes a realigning cage ll). Cage 40 ispositioned above a delivery conveyor 42, moving longitudinally of thecage 40. The cage 40 includes a plurality of longitudinally extendingribs with alternate ribs being relatively high and spaced transverselyapart by a distance slightly more than the length of the choppedportions of stalk. With this arrangement, the chopped stalk cannot failin bridging relation across any two relatively high ribs. The ribsintermediate the high ribs are relatively low and spaced from theadjacent high ribs by a distance substantially less than the choppedcane length. The cane lengths are thus induced to fall downwardlybetween adjacent high and low ribs and are then skewed towardlongitudinal alignment. The conveyor 42 carries the lengths betweenadjacent ribs, which are progressively, longitudinally converged, in thefeed direction of the cane lengths.

It will be appreciated that various modifications in the relativepositioning of various parts of the layout just described may be made.For example, the chopping unit could be positioned at some point inthesecond series of conveyors 18 intermediate the detrashing unit 22 andthe hopper 3'6 with other detrashing units provided between the choppingunit and or at the hopper. Similar variations in the relative locationof other portions of the apparatus falling within the invention definedwith more particularity in the appended claims, may be provided.

The First Series of Conveyors The previously mentioned first series M ofconveyors includes a plurality of power driven, separate, endlessconveyors mounted on a conventional framework. These conveyors havetheir directions of travel aligned in a common first feed direction,indicated by the arrow 50 in FIG. 2, with the conveyors arranged tosuccessively convey the mass of stalks. Each of the conveyors, in thefirst series 14, is of heavy duty construction slatted type comprising aplurality of parallel slats extending transversely of the direction ofmotion of the conveyor and joined together by flexible connections alongtheir adjacent longitudinal edges.

The first series M of conveyors includes a horizontally disposed, canetable or first conveyor Ma in the series positioned to receiveintermittently dumped, bulk loads of sugarcane stalks comprising severaltons at a time. Such loads are supplied from a suitable conventionalsource of supply, such as, for example, the previously mentioned railcar id which, as illustrated in Fit 2, may be of the side unloading,tilt type. it will be appreciated that other conventional methods ofloading the first conveyor Ma, such as the use of a crane and slings,may be accommodated.

The canes are delivered from the downstream end of the first conveyor Mato a metering conveyor ldb, next in the series. The metering conveyor Mbmoves considerably faster than the first conveyor (for example, a speeddifferential of 260 feet per minute may be provided) and provides a verysubstantial thinning out of the mass of cane stalks due to the suddenacceleration of the stalks in passing between the conveyors Ma and 14b.The metering conveyor ldb which has its lower end adjacent and on alevel with the delivery end of the conveyor llda, is mounted to adjacentsupporting structure for pivotal motion in the vertical plane about itslower end. The upper, delivery end of the conveyor Ml: may be elevatedvertically by conventional means (not shown) under the control of anoperator to vary the inclination of the metering conveyor Mb relative tothe first conveyor 14a. As sugarcane stalks move off the first conveyor14a, normally in heaps, the operator may selectively control the speedand inclination of the metering conveyor MI; in order to break up theheaps and distribute the mass of stalks evenly onto the next succeedingconveyor Me in the series lid.

Succeeding conveyors in the first series 114 downstream of the meteringconveyor ldb are arranged with the downstream end of each conveyorspaced above and slightly upstream of the upstream end of the nextsucceeding conveyor to define gaps 53 between the adjacent conveyorsAsthe mass of stalks passes between conveyors it undergoes a vertical dropor cascade which loosens and helps to disentangle the canes. Thiscascade also causes heavy debris, such as boulders and the like, mixedwith the mass of stalks, to gravitate downwardly from the mass of stalksand fall outwardly and rearwardly through the gaps 523 between adjacentconveyors in the first series id.

The various conveyors in the first series 14 are arranged to run atsuccessively higher speeds so that the leading portions of individualstalks in the mass, during their passage across each junction defined byadjacent conveyors, are subjected to a downstream frictionalaccelerating force simultaneously with the disentangling, verticalfalling motion previously discussed. This results from the lower ends ofthe cascading stalks engaging the upstream end of the relatively highvelocity downstream conveyor at the cascade junction.

These combined forces exert a strong loosening and disentangling effectupon the cane stalks in the mass, which assists in thinning the stalksout in the direction of travel.

Thinning of the stalks is also substantially contributed to by theprovision of pins 52 provided on the conveyor 140 and the conveyorsdownstream thereof in the first series 1d. The pins 52 are secured toand project outwardly from the slats in longitudinally aligned rows. Thepins 52 exert a carding effect, holding back the lower stalks in themass with which the pins 52. are in contact relative to those in theupper part of the mass during transfer of the mass between adjacentconveyors. Thus, the upper stalks tend to be projected on ahead of thelower stalks at the junctions, thereby thinning out the mass in thedirection of travel.

Thinning is further effected by the provision of a plurality of rakes S6spaced in the direction of travel, overhanging and extendingtransversely of the path of travel of the mass of stalks.

Each of the rakes 56 (see also FlG. ldincludes a plurality of heavy,vertical fingers 58 spaced transversely of the feed direction. The lowerends of the fingers are spaced a short distance above adjacent ones ofthe conveyors in the first series 14. The upper ends of the fingers arepivotally secured, for free-swinging motion in a vertical plane, to atransverse support 60 fixedly secured to portions of the generalsurrounding structure. As the mass of stalks pass the rakes 56, stalkstraveling in the upper part of the mass tend to be retarded by the rakes56 to a greater extent than those in the lower part of the mass, thuscontributing to progressive thinning of the stalks in the direction oftravel, as well as lateral thinning.

By the time the stalks reach a final conveyor ldn of the conveyors inthe first series lid, substantially all the heavy debris comprisingrocks and the like has been removed by passage through the gaps 53between adjacent conveyors in the manner previously described. At thesame time, the stalks have been quite substantially thinned out in thedirection of travel and laterally, so that the vertical thickness of themass of stalks on the conveyor Mn is less than on the conveyor Me. Atthe same time, the jerking effects provided in the manner discussed bythe speed differential between adjacent conveyors, will have caused someproportion of the individual stalks in the mass to have become at leastbetter aligned longitudinally in the direction of travel.

The Second Series of Conveyors The previously mentioned second series118 of conveyors includes a plurality of successively related groups orflights of conveyors Mia-18g each consisting of one or more separateendless belt conveyors.

The mass of stalks on the final conveyor Mn in the first series M aredelivered to the first conveyor flight 18a (comprising a singleconveyor) in the second series iii of conveyors. (See FIG. 4).

The conveyor 18a is of the power driven, endless, heavyduty, parallelslat type, described for the conveyors in the first series 14. However,a conventional flexible belt type of conveyor could alternatively beused, if desired. The conveyor 18a is supported in horizontaldisposition, by conventional framing, so as to receive canes deliveredfrom the conveyor Mn. Conveyor 18a is spaced vertically below thedischarge end of conveyor ldn to cause the canes to undergo falling orcascading motion during their transfer from the conveyor Mn to theconveyor 13a. Furthermore, the conveyor 18:; is driven to convey thecanes away from the conveyor l m in a direction transversely of thedirection of travel thereof and at relatively higher speed.

The effect of this arrangement of the conveyors Mn and 1280, on anindividual cane stalk, is shown with reference to an individual stalk 70indicated in dotted lines on H6. 4. As the stalk 70 leaves the conveyorMn, its forward end soon starts to fall under gravity towards theconveyor 18a with the stalk still moving generally forwardly inthedirection of travel of the conveyor 1 in. As the leading end of thestalk 7t) impinges upon the conveyor ma, frictional engagement of theleading end of the stalk 70 with the conveyor l a imparts anaccelerating force to the leading end of the stalk 7G in the downstreamdirection of travel of the conveyor 18a.

Thus, the stalk 70 is jerked in a direction transverse to that in whichthe cane 70 has previously been subjected to such jerking motion. At thesame time, the rearward end of the cane '70 tends to be relativelyretarded, not only by the inertia of the stalk itself, but frequentlybecause of engagement of the rear end of the stalk 70 with other canesin the mass or because of the engagement of the rear end of the stalkeither with the pins 52 on the conveyor Mn or with the fingers 5d of therake 56. The net effect of these forces on the individual cane stalk isto apply a force couple tending to rotate the stalk in a directiontending to align it with the direction of travel of the receivingconveyor Ella.

This combination of forces has been found to tend to disentangle thecane stalks, which are otherwise prone to remain in their tangledcondition clue to their usually bent and twisted configuration.

The stalks are also spread laterally at the junction 2!). The stalks inthe upper part of the mass are affected by centrifugal force duringabrupt motion around the bend 2b (to a greater extent than those in thelower part pf the mass) with the result that the upper stalks aretoppled radially outwardly during their passage through the right anglejunction 20 to spread the mass of stalks laterally across the conveyortile.

in summary, the provision of the right angle junction at which thestalks are subjected to abrupt vertical deflection and to simultaneousaccelerating force in a downstream direction transverse to the directionof travel of the stalks upstream of the junction, causes veryconsiderable disentangling of the stalks and also provides substantiallateral spreading of the stalk downstream of the junction in highlydesirable manner.

Although only one right angle junction 20 has been disclosed, it will beappreciated that a plurality of such right angle, cascading junctionsmight be provided if desired.

The initial conveyor llda delivers the stalks to the first conveyor of asecond flight of conveyors 18b in the second series ltl.

By this time, the stalks have become sufficiently thinned to make it nolonger necessary to provide conveyors of heavyduty construction of thetype hitherto described. The conveyors in the flight 18b therefore andall succeeding conveyors downstream are of lighter-weight construction,utilizing conventional, elastomeric, conveyor belting material.

The conveyor 18a and the various conveyors in the second flight llflbhave their adjacent downstream and upstream ends vertically spaced inthe manner disclosed inconnection with the first series 1d. Theseconveyors, l8aand'the conveyors in the flight 18b, further assist in theremoval of any debris which may still be mixed amongst the mass of thestalks by providing cascade gaps between adjacent conveyors. Trashgravitates through these gaps in a direction downwardly and rearwardlyof the direction of travel of the mass of stalks in the mannerpreviously described for the first series M. By the time the stalks havereached the last conveyor in the second flight 18b, substantially all ofthe heavy debris from the fields has been removed.

Downstream of the second conveyor flight 18b, the mass of stalks isdelivered to a third flight 18c of conveyors arranged with theiradjacent delivering and receiving ends in overlapped relation similar tothat previously described, but with a smaller vertical gap betweenadjacent conveyors sufficient only to avoid interference between them.The conveyors in the third flight T80 are driven at progressively higherspeeds so as to continue to impart simultaneous falling and jerkingmotions to the stalks, tending to thin out and align the stalks in themass. By the time the cane has reached the delivery end of the lastconveyor in the third flight 18c, the numerous preceding jerking andstraightening motions imparted to the canes have caused the mass ofstalks to become sufficiently thinned and disentangled to make itunnecessary to provide for continued abrupt dropping of the cane betweensuccessive adjacent conveyors.

Thus, the conveyors in the next succeeding, fourth flight lfld ofconveyors, receiving the stalk from the last of the con veyors in thethird flight The, are no longer arranged in mutually overlappingrelation at their adjacent delivery and receiving ends. Instead, theconveyors of the next succeeding group, 18d, are arranged with theirupper conveying surfaces aligned in a common plane. The conveyors in thefourth flight llld are inclined upwardly from those in the precedingflight we and driven at successively higher speeds so that the canestalks not only continue to be accelerated by successive conveyors butalso provided with an upward component of velocity.

As the stalks leave the delivery end of the last conveyor in the fourthflight The! they are projected across a slotlike, transverselyextending, gap or vertical discontinuity fill. During their passageacross the gap 80, the stalks are traveling with sufficient velocity tobecome at least partially airborne. While the stalks are in theirairborne condition they are subjected to an upward blast of air underpressure from a nozzle d2 supplied with air under pressure from aconventional source (not shown), aligned with and extending transverselythe gap hit. The blast of air removes loose leaves and other trashmoving with the stalks. The airborne condition of the stalks causes themto be in a loosely separated condition which facilitates the flushingaction of the air jet directed through them by minimizing thepossibility that trash may become clogged between adjacent stalks.

The blast of air carries the trash into a cowl 3 3 (connected to aconventional suction source not shown) positioned above the gap 80, anddelivered from there to a conventional straw chopper unit 86 (FlG. d).This chopper unit may be of the type disclosed in Canadian Pat. No.427,744, although other conventional trash chopping units may beutilized. The chopped trash is delivered from the chopping unit 86 by ablower 88 to a conventional cyclone separator 90.

Downstream of the gap 80, the cane stalks'still moving rapidly in thedirection of travel of the second series 18, fall onto a downwardlyinclined, transversely extending, receiving plate 92 by means of whichthey are directed to the fifth group The of conveyors which are alignedin an upwardly inclined relation. The last conveyor in the fifth groupthe feeds the stalk to the first of the sixth group 18f of conveyorsdisposed in horizontally aligned relation. The last of the conveyors inthe sixth group 18f feeds to the first conveyor of the final cohveyorgroup 18g which are aligned in upwardly inclined relation relative tothe sixth flight 18f.

At the junction between conveyor groups 18f and 18g, the leading ends ofstalks are lifted, when engaged by the first conveyor in the group 183.Since the conveyors in groups 18e, 18f, and 18g are driven atsuccessively higher speeds, the lifted stalk ends are accelerated orjerked in the feed direction so as to further enhance the longitudinalorientation of the stalks. i

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the speed of the finalconveyor in the final flight Hg is about 1,500 feet per minute, withspeed differentials between some of the various preceding conveyors inthe various flights and series in excess of feet per minute. It will berealized that these figures are merely exemplary and other speed rangesmay be chosen.

The function of the successively more rapid conveyors in the flightsThe, 18f, and 18g is to continue and progressively accentuate theprocess of thinning out and aligning the canes longitudinally. At thefinal conveyor in the final series 18g, the canes are traveling in asingle layer thickness with all the canes aligned longitudinally in thedirection of motion. This function, it has been found, is particularlyassisted by the provision of the upwardly inclined junction between thelast conveyor of the sixth flight lbf and the relatively more rapidlymoving first conveyor of the final flight 18g.

The Cane Chopping and Realigning Station The aligned cane stalkstraveling longitudinally are delivered from the last of the conveyors inthe final flight 18g to the previously mentioned, mating, cutting rolls28 and 30.

The cutting rolls 28 and 30 are rotatably mounted on surroundingframing. These rolls are positioned adjacent the delivery end of thefinal one of the conveyors in the group lliig and extend transversely ofthe stalk feed direction. Each of the chopping rolls 28 and 30 ispower-driven and is provided about its periphery with four radiallyprojecting, transversely extending, equally peripherally spaced,resilient, nip members 32. The various nip members 32 on the rolls 28and fill, which may be fabricated of rubber, are rotationally aligned inpairs so that each pair of nip members 32 move successively intoabutting coincidence at the closest adjacent point of the rolls as therolls 2t and 3h rotate. As the leading end of each cane leaves the lastof the conveyors in the flight lflg, it moves towards the rolls 28 and30 where it is engaged by whichever pair of nip members 32 is currentlymoving into nipping relation. As the rolls 28 and 3t continue to rotate,the elements 32 are deformed about the cane to grip it securely and tohold the cane firmly between the rolls, while at the same time,simultaneously advancing the cane longitudinally.

To cut the stalk while it is engaged by the nipping portions 32, each ofthe rolls 23 and 30 is provided with four, transversely extending,radially projecting, knives 3d, equally spaced about the cutter rollperiphery and located intermediate the gripping elements 32. The knives343 of rolls 28 and 3d move into intermittent radial and contiguousalignment to sever each stalk transversely of its length while it ismoving longitudinally. Thus, rolls 2% and 3t) produce chopped portionsof stalk of uniform length. v

The chopped portions of stalk fall into the previously mentioned hopper36, from which they are removed by the previously mentioned, upwardlymoving, inclined, delivery conveyor 323. Conveyor 3% is provided on itsconveying surface with transversely extending bars of ridges M2 toretain the chopped portions of stalk on the conveyor during their upwardmotion.

At the upper, delivery end of the conveyor 38, the chopped stalks arepassed into a hooded chamber 1M to which suction is applied. Thissuction is applied through a duct W6 connected to a remote suctionsource (notshown). The air flow,

induced by the suction, serves to remove trash from chopped stalksfalling from the end of the conveyor 38.

The chopped stalks fall onto the previously mentioned realigning cage d6(FIGS. d-lll). The realigning cage includes a plurality oflongitudinally extending, parallel, flat, upright, relatively high ribsMP3 fixedly secured to the general surrounding structure and disposed ina cantilever fashion above the previously mentioned conveyor 42.Conveyor 42 has a conveying surface moving longitudinally of and beneaththe aligning cage 40 in a direction away from the delivery conveyor 38.

As shown in H6. 9, the ribs 168 are uniformly transversely spaced at adistance slightly greater than the length of the chopped portions ofstalk so that no chopped portion is capaole of falling bridging relationacross the top of two adjacent ones of the ribs 108.

Spaced intermediate adjacent ribs MP3 are other, relatively low ribstill longitudinally coextensive with the ribs 108. The upper portions ofthe ribs lllll are, however, spaced well below the upper portions of theribs W8.

it may be considered that the upper portions of each pair of adjacentribs 1% extending above the ribs ill) define a first channel 112 ofgreater transverse width than the length of the stalks, into whichchopped portions of stalk may fall from the conveyor Similarh it may beconsidered that each of the ribs iltl divides the space between eachpair of adjacent ribs 103 into two second channels lid, disposed belowthe first channel 312, and of less transverse extent than the length ofthe chopped portions of stalk. The only way, therefore, in which aportion of stalk may move from the first channel 112 to the secondchannel lid under the action of gravity is for it to become turned intothe direction of travel so that the lateral distance between itsextremities is less than the width of the second channel.

The manner in which this turning is effected may be considered withreference to one piece of stalk 115 (FIG. 9) dropped from the conveyor38. As a chopped portion 115 fails, it is likely to land across an upperand a lower rib in a downwardly inclined, laterally extendingconfiguration. At this time its lower, leading end will be engaged byother chopped portions of stalk already moving within the second channelto impart the required turning effect, if the stalk does not fall bygravity into the second channel. Stalks within the second channels 114-are moved longitudinally thereof by the underlying conveyor 42.

Downstream of the conveyor 42, the ribs 198 are reduced in hei ht toequal the ribs Mil and at the same time the ribs comrne to be curveddownwardly and outwardly away from the cry end of the conveyor Anunder-plate lid is secured to the underside of the ribs downstream ofthe conveyor 42 to support the chopped portions of stalk in the secondchannels lid subsequent to delivery from the conveyor The junctionbetween the ribs and the under-plate 136 is provided with rounded gussetportions 137 to prevent jamming and binding or" the stalks in the secondchannels.

The ribs defining the second channels are progressively convergeddownstream of the conveyor 42 to accentuate the longitudinal aligningeffect exerted on the chopped portions of stalk.

it will be appreciated that at the downstream end of the realigning cagell), substantially all the chopped portions of stalk are aligned inparallel relation, traveling longitudinally in a common direction. Aspreviously discussed, they are, of course, in a clean and uniformlychopped condition suitable for subsequent processing.

instead of using a single conveyor 62 positioned beneath the realigningcage w, it may be advisable under some circumstances to utilize aplurality of successively more rapidly moving conveyors arranged incascade in order to thin out the chopped stalks within the channels lidin the direction of feed. 1

ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS A first alternative embodiment of the inventionis illustrated in FIGS. l2 and 13. This first alternative embodiment isidentical to the preferred embodiment just described insofar as concernsits portion upstream of the previously described receiving plate 92.

Downstream of the receiving plate 92, however, there is provided anintermediate flight l8'e of aligned, successively more rapidly moving,horizontally disposed conveyors delivering the cane stalks to anupwardly inclined, faster moving conveyor l8'g. The stalks are fed fromthe delivery end of the conveyor l8g through chopping rolls 2% and 34 ofthe type previously described, and fall subsequent to chopping ontoanother receiving plate 120. The receiving plate, which is inclineddownwardly, directs the chopped portions of stalk to an upwardlyinclined conveyor l8h which in turn delivers the stalks to a downwardlyinclined, cleaning conveyor 18']: (to be described in more detailhereinafter).

The conveyor l8k delivers the stalks to two further conveyors 18']: andlld'k similarly to the conveyors l8h, k from which the chopped portionsof stalks are transferred to a delivery conveyor 3131 for delivery to ahopper 36 of the type provided in the first embodiment. Downstream ofthe hopper 36 the structure is identical to that for the firstembodiment.

At the rolls 2% and 36 positioned between the conveyors i8e and i8g, asecond series of air blast nozzles E26 is positioned, directed to blastair upwardly at a forward inclination through the mass of stalkssubsequent to chopping thereof to assist in clearing trash therefrom. Tofurther assist in removing the trash, :1 shroud extends about all theconveyors intermediate the cowl 84 and the delivery extremity of theconveyor l8e. The shroud 13b is provided with suction points 1131 spacedabove and adjacent the cutting rolls 2% and Bill, the upper junctions ofthe pairs of conveyors i8 i2 and 18 k, and the upper end of the deliveryconveyor 18' e. From these suction points 13L trash is sucked outwardlyof the shroud 334) (by conventional means not shown), and deliveredthrough a conduit 132 to the previously mentioned cyclone separator 90.It will be noted that in view of the chopping step performed at therolls 28 and 39, the trash itself will have been simultaneously choppedso that it is not necessary to pass the trash extracted downstream ofthe chopping rolls 23 and St) through the previously mentioned trashchopper Each of the previously mentioned cleaning conveyors ll'k,receiving cane from the delivery end of the preceding conveyor lltl'h,includes an endless, flexible belt-type foraminous screen, providing aconveying surface 134. An impervious diaphragm 135 within the conveyorlll'k, spaced from the conveying surface 134, defines a plenum chamber136 therewith. Suction is applied to the plenum chamber through aconduit I133 connected to the inlet side of an airblower M6. The suctioncauses trash travelling with the cane stalks to become adhered to theconveying surface Z34 and carried downwardly with the cane. Adjacent thelower delivery end of the conveying surface i3 2 of the conveyor 18%,there is positioned a downwardly and rearwardly curving scoop 1452having its leading end positioned generally on a level with theconveying surface R34. As the relatively heavy chopped cane stalks reachthe bottom of the conveyor 18']: they tend to fall outwardly of thescoop M2 onto the next succeeding conveyor lfl'h. The trash, however,remainsadhered to the conveying surface 134 of the screen by. thesuction applied and is thereby carried rearwardly, past the scoop M2.Eventually, the screen 134 goes past the extreme end of the diaphragm135 at which time the screen becomes blanked off from the source ofsuction so that the no longer adhered trash tends to fall down into thescoop M2 from which it is conducted off to a trash conduit Md. As someof the trash will become embedded within the surface of the screen ormay remain attached thereto (if, for example, the leaves of cane shouldbe wet for some reason), it is necessary to blow them off during theirnonconveying travel. This trash removal function is performed by anozzle 1146 positioned to blow air through the returning conveyor belt.The nozzle 146 is supplied with air under pressure from the outlet sideof the previously mentioned blower 140. The trash blown outwardly fromthe returning side of the conveyor belt is directed to the previouslymentioned trash removal conduit 144.

A second alternative embodiment of'the invention illustrated in FIG. 14includes the'provision of a water spray or laundry" station 148.interposed in the second series 18 of conveyors in the position occupiedin the preferred embodiment by the intermediate flight of conveyors 18b.The water spray station 148 includes a housing 150 enclosing a pluralityof aligned, horizontally disposed, perforate or screen-type conveyorsl8'm. Water spray nozzles 152 are positioned in the housing 150 abovethe conveyors ldm to wash mud and t the like off any particularlydirtycane which it may be requiredto process from time to time. Additionaldownwardly directed water sprays d are positioned within the conveyorsth'm to direct water downwardly through the returningundersides of theconveyors l8m to wash off trash adhering thereto.

SUMMARY OF ADVANTAGES It will be seen that the method and apparatus ofthe present invention provide for very effective preparation of sugarcane stalks prior to subsequent processing. The invention isparticularly suitable for receiving bulk masses of randomly orientedcane stalks and delivering them for subsequent processing in cleanedcondition, chopped into short, uniform lengths.

As a collateral function, the invention is adapted to align the choppedstalks for travel longitudinally and in the same direction.

A most important feature of the invention resides in the manner in whichindividual cane stalks are subjected to a number of violent droppingmotions, with simultaneous acceleration of leading portions ofindividual stalks in downstream directions. At separate times, theseaccelerations are transversely inclined of each other,therebyefficiently disentangling the stalks inthe mass. This unusualmotion imparted to the stalks is effective to dislodge stalks which, byreason of their bent and twisted nature, have become firmly hooked aboutother stalks.

Also of particular significance is the right angle junction which notonly assists in providing the just-mentioned disentangling effect, butalso causes lateral toppling of the other canes which assists inlaterally spreading the mass of canes on the conveyors during theirtravel.

Other advantages are provided by the group of horizontally alignedconveyors delivering cane to the group of faster moving, upwardlyinclined conveyors. This arrangement has been found to contribute verysubstantially towards the ultimate alignment of all the stalkslongitudinally in a common direction of travel, and travelling as asingle, spaced cane iayer, by the time at which they arrive at thechopping station.

it will be appreciated that the alignment of the stalks is verysignificant in ensuring that the transversely extending chopping rollscut the stalks into shorter portions possessing an unusually high degreeof uniformity of length. in this connection, the resilient portions onthe chopping rolls which both grip and advance the stalks duringchopping are very important.

Other important aspects of the invention reside in the position of thegaps between the heavy-duty conveyors in the first series of conveyorswhich cause heavy debris such as rocks mixed with the trash to gravitateoutwardly of the mass rearwardly of the direction of travel at an earlystage.

Further cleaning advantages are provided by the detrashing apparatus inwhich the provision of an air blast, adapted to operate upon cane stalkswhile the latter are in a loosened, airborne condition, substantiallyeliminates clogging problems and thereby leads to much enhanced trashremoval.

Although the invention is described with reference to certain preferredembodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art thatadditions, deletions, modifications, substitutions and other changes notspecifically described and illustrated in the preferred embodiments maybe made within the purview of the appended claims.

lclalm:

1. A method of preparing a mass of randomly oriented slender sugarcanestalks for subsequent processing, the method comprising the steps of:

delivering the randomly oriented mass of sugarcane stalksonto a seriesof conveyor means; 1

subjecting the mass of stalks to a sudden vertical deflection at a firstjunction between two of the conveyor means in the series to. cause theleading portions of individual stalks in the mass to experience anabrupt deflecting motion in the vertical direction and simultaneouslysubjecting the leading edge portions of the stalk to, a force in thedirection of travel of the conveyor means downstream of the firstjunction tending to accelerate the individual stalks in the direction oftravel of the conveyor means receiving the stalks with the force alignedwith the direction of travel of the conveyor means upstream of the firstjunction; subjecting the mass of stalks to-another sudden verticaldeflectionat a second junction between successive conveyor means in theseries to cause the leading portions of individual stalks in the mass toexperience an abrupt deflecting motion in a vertical direction andsimultaneously subjecting the leading edge portions of the stalks to aforce in the direction of travel of the conveyor means downstream of thesecond junction with the force inclined transversely to the directionoftravel of the conveyor means upstream of the second junction;

accelerating the mass along the conveyor means to cause the mass ofstalks to become thinned in the direction of travel;

raking the upper portion of the mass of stalks during travel to assistin thinning the mass in the direction of travel and to assist inspreading the mass of stalks laterally of the direction of travel;chopping the stalks transversely thereof into relatively shorterlengths, the chopping of the stalks including the steps of:

periodically gripping portions of the stalks between mating surfacesmoving in alignment with the stalks to advance the stalkslongitudinally; and

severing the stalks transversely thereof while in the gripped conditionat a point rearwardly adjacent the gripped portion of the stalk;

delivering the chopped stalks to a work station; and

directing fluid through the stalks at some point during their travel toremove trash.

2. A method of preparing a mass of randomly oriented slender sugarcanestalks for subsequent processing, the method comprising the steps of:

delivering the mass of randomly oriented sugarcane stalks to the firstof a series of separate conveyor means arranged to successively receiveand convey the mass of stalks;

subjecting the mass of stalks to a sudden vertical deflection in onedirection at a first junction between successive conveyor means in theseries to cause the leading edge portions of individual canes in themass to experience abrupt deflecting motion in the one verticaldirection and simultaneously subjecting the leading edge portions to aforce aligned with the direction of travel of the conveyor meansupstream of the first junction in the direction of travel of theconveyor means downstream of the first junction tending to acceleratethe individual stalks in the direction of travel of the conveyor meansreceiving the stalks;

subjecting the mass of stalks to another vertical deflection in anopposite direction to the first vertical direction at a second junctionbetween successive conveyor means in the series to cause the leadingportions of individual stalks in the mass to experience an abruptdeflecting motion in an opposite vertical direction and simultaneouslysubjecting the leading edge portions of the individual stalks to a forcein the direction of travel of the conveyor means receiving the stalksdownstream of the second junction but with the force applied to theleading edge portions of the stalks downstream of the second junctioninclined transversely to that applied to the leading edge portions ofthe stalks upstream of the second junction;

chopping the stalks transversely thereof into relatively shorter lengthswhile the stalks are traveling in longitudinal alignment with thedirection of travel;

raking the stalks in the upper part of the mass thereof at some point intheir travel to spread the stalks;

dropping the chopped stalk portions onto a plurality of parallellongitudinal equally spaced ribs with alternate ones of the ribsprojecting vertically above the other of the ribs at a spacing apart asmall amount greater than the length of the chopped portions of thestalk;

directing the fluid through the stalks at some point in their travels toremove the trash therefrom; and

delivering the aligned chopped sugarcane stalks to a work station forlongitudinal splitting and depithing. 3. A method as defined in claim llwherein the step of directing fluid through the stalks includes:

transferring the chopped stalks onto downwardly inclined second conveyormeans having a foraminous surface;

applying suction internally of the conveyor means to adhere the trash tothe foraminous surface of the conveyor means;

delivering the stalks from a downstream end of the conveyor means whilecontinuing to apply suction to adhere the trash to the forarninoussurface of the conveyor means;

ceasing suction at a point downstream of the point at which the canestalks were delivered to cause the trash to fall from the conveyormeans; and

conveying the trash to a separate location.

4. in a method wherein a mass of trash-containing randomly orientedslender sugarcane stalks is prepared for subsequent longitudinalsplitting and depithing of each individual stalk, the improvement whichcomprises:

delivering the randomly oriented mass of sugarcane stalks onto conveyormeans;

subjecting the mass of stalks to a sudden vertical deflection at a firstjunction between two of the conveyor means in the series to cause theleading portions of individual stalks in the mass to experience anabrupt deflecting motion in the vertical direction and simultaneouslysubjecting the leading edge portions of the stalk to a force in thedirection of travel of the conveyor means downstream of the firstjunction tending to accelerate the individual stalks in the direction oftravel of the conveyor means receiving the stalks with the force alignedwith the direction of travel of the conveyor means upstream of the firstjunction;

subjecting the mass of stalks to another sudden vertical deflection at asecond junction between successive con- LII lid

veyor means in the series to cause the leading portions of individualstalks in the mass to experience an abrupt deflecting motion in avertical direction and simultaneously subjecting the leading edgeportions of the stalks to a force in the direction of travel of theconveyor means downstream of the second junction with the force inclinedtransversely to the direction of travel of the conveyor means upstreamof the second junction;

wherein at the time of reaching a final one in the series of conveyormeans, substantially all of the stalks in the mass are alignedlongitudinally in the direction of travel of the final one of theconveyor means; and

chopping the stalks transversely thereof into relatively shorter choppedlengths as the stalks are fed outwardly from the final one of theconveying means.

5. A method as defined in claim 14, further including the step of:

directing fluid through the mass of stalks at some point during theirtravel to remove trash mixed with the stalks.

6. A method as defined in claim 14 including an additional realigningstep subsequent to the step of chopping the stalks, the realigning stepincluding:

receiving the chopped lengths of stalks; and

guiding the chopped lengths of the stalks into parallel longitudinalalignment one with another. 7. A method as defined in claim 16 whereinthe step of guiding the chopped lengths of the stalks includes:

dropping the chopped lengths of stalk randomly into a plurality ofparallel, longitudinally extending first channels of greater transverseextent than that of the chopped length of the stalk, the channels beingprovided by longitudinally and vertically extending sidewalls; divingdividing each of the first channels into at least two, secondlongitudinally extending channels by providing at least one intermediatewall between and spaced below the sidewalls, each of the second channelsbeing of less transverse extent than that of the chopped length of stalkwhereby the chopped lengths fall from the first into the secondchannels; v

providing third conveyor means beneath the walls to move the choppedlengths along the second channels; and

convergingthe walls defining the second channels in the direction ofmotion of the third conveyor means to progressively longitudinally alignthe chopped length of the stalk.

8. A method as defined in claim lid including the step of:

directing fluid through the stalks at'some point during their travel toremove trash mixed with the stalks. 9. In a method wherein a mass oftrash-containing randomly oriented slender sugarcane stalks is preparedfor subsequent longitudinal splitting and depithing of each individualstalk, the improvement which comprises:

delivering the randomly oriented mass of sugarcane stalks onto conveyormeans; i

subjecting the mass of stalks to a sudden vertical deflection at a firstjunction between two of the conveyor means in the series to cause theleading portions of individual stalks in the mass to experience anabrupt deflecting motion in the vertical direction and simultaneouslysubjecting the leading edge portions of the stalk to a force in thedirection of travel of the conveyor means downstream of the firstjunction tending to accelerate the individual stalks in the direction oftravel or" the conveyor means receiving the stalks with the forcealigned in the direction of travel of the conveyor means upstream of thefirst junction;

subjecting the mass of stalks to another sudden vertical deflection at asecond junction between successive conveyor means in the series to causethe leading portions of individual stalks in the mass to experience anabrupt deflecting motion in a vertical direction and simultaneouslysubjecting the leading edge portions of the stalks to a. force in thedirection of travel of the conveyor means veyor means upstream of thesecond junction; accelerating the mass along the conveyor means to causethe mass of stalks to become thinned in the direction of travel; rakingthe upper portion of the mass of stalks during travel to assist inthinning the mass in the direction of travel and to assist in spreadingthe mass of stalks laterally of the direction of travel; chopping thestalks transversely thereof into relatively shorter lengths, thechopping of the stalks including the steps of: periodically grippingportions of the stalksbetween mating surfaces moving in alignment withthe stalks to advance the stalks longitudinally; and severing the stalkstransversely thereof while in the gripped condition at a pointrearwardly adjacent the gripped portion of the stalk; directing fluidthrough the stalks at some point during their travel to remove trash,guiding the chopped stalks into parallel longitudinal alignment with oneanother; and delivering the aligned chopped stalks to a work station forlongitudinal splitting and depithing of the chopped stalks individually.10. A method of preparing cane stalks for subsequent processing, themethod comprising the steps of:

dumping the stalks in a randomly oriented mass comprising at leastseveral tons, on conveyor means; accelerating the mass along theconveyor means to cause the mass of stalks to become thinned in thedirection of travel;

raking the upper portion of the mass of stalks during travel to assistin thinning the mass in the direction of travel and to assist inspreading the mass of stalks laterally of the direction of travel;

providing at least one abrupt bend in the conveyor means at which thedirection of travel downstream of the bend is substantially transverseto the direction of travel upstream of the bend to cause a centrifugaltoppling effect to be exerted on stalks in the upper part of the massthereof relative to stalks in the lower part thereof at the bend tendingto spread the stalks laterally of the conveyor means downstream of thebend;

aligning the stalks longitudinally in the direction of travel of theconveyor means;

whereby a flow of stalks substantially a single layer thick withindividual stalks aligned in the direction of feed of the conveyor meansis achieved; and

chopping the stalks transversely thereof into relatively shorterlengths, the step of chopping the stalks including the steps of: 1periodically gripping portions of the stalks between resilient, matingsurfaces moving in alignment with the stalks to advance the stalkslongitudinally; and

severing the stalks transversely thereof while in the gripped conditionat a point rearwardly adjacent the gripped portion of the stalk.

P0405" UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.566, 944 Dated March 2, 1971 Inventor) Sydney E. Tilby It is certifiedthat error appears in the above-identified patent and that: said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

IN THE A BSTRACT Column 2, line 1, after "At" insert at IN THESPECIFICATION Column 2, line 30, insert and after "these, Column 4, line36, change "talk" to stalk IN THE CLAIMS Claim 5, line 1, change "14"1104 Claim 6, line 1, change "14" to 4 Claim 7, line 1, change "16" to 6line 8, delete "diving" Claim 8, line 1, change "16" to 6 Signed andsealed this 16th day of November 1971.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer ActingCommissioner of Pa

1. A method of preparing a mass of randomly oriented slender sugarcanestalks for subsequent processing, the method comprising the steps of:delivering the randomly oriented mass of sugarcane stalks onto a seriesof conveyor means; subjecting the mass of stalks to a sudden verticaldeflection at a first junction between two of the conveyor means in theseries to cause the leading portions of individual stalks in the mass toexperience an abrupt deflecting motion in the vertical direction andsimultaneously subjecting the leading edge portions of the stalk to aforce in the direction of travel of the conveyor means downstream of thefirst junction tending to accelerate the individual stalks in thedirection of travel of the conveyor means receiving the stalks with theforce aligned with the direction of travel of the conveyor meansupstream of the first junction; subjecting the mass of stalks to anothersudden vertical deflection at a second junction between successiveconveyor means in the series to cause the leading portions of individualstalks in the mass to experience an abrupt deflecting motion in avertical direction and simultaneously subjecting the leading edgeportions of the stalks to a force in the direction of travel of theconveyor means downstream of the second junction with the force inclinedtransversely to the direction of travel of the conveyor means upstreamof the second junction; accelerating the mass along the conveyor meansto cause the mass of stalks to become thinned in the direction oftravel; raking the upper portion of the mass of stalks during travel toassist in thinning the mass in the direction of travel and to assist inspreading the mass of stalks laterally of the direction of travel;chopping the stalks transversely thereof into relatively shorterlengths, the chopping of the stalks including the steps of: periodicallygripping portions of the stalks between mating surfaces moving inalignment with the stalks to advance the stalks longitudinally; andsevering the stalks transversely thereof while in the gripped conditionat a point rearwardly adjacent the gripped portion of the stalk;delivering the chopped stalks to a work station; and directing fluidthrough the stalks at some point during their travel to remove trash. 2.A method of preparing a mass of randomly oriented slender sugarcanestalks for subsequent processing, the method comprising the steps of:delivering the mass of randomly oriented sugarcane stalks to the firstof a series of separate conveyor means arranged to successively receiveand convey the mass of stalks; subjecting the mass of stalks to a suddenvertical deflection in one direction at a first junction betweensuccessive conveyor means in the series to cause the leading edgeportions of individual canes in the mass to experience abrupt deflectingmotion in the one vertical direction and simultaneously subjecting theleading edge portions to a force aligned with the direction of travel ofthe conveyor means upstream of the first junction in the direction oftravel of the conveyor means downstream of the first junction tending toaccelerate the individual stalks in the direction of travel of theconveyor means receiving the stalks; subjecting the mass of stalks toanother vertical deflection in an opposite direction to the firstvertical direction at a second junction between successive conveyormeans in the series to cause the leading portions of individual stalksin the mass to experience an abrupt deflecting motion in an oppositevertical direction and simultaneously subjecting the leading edgeportions of the individual stalks to a force in the direction of travelof the conveyor means receiving the stalks downstream of the secondjunction but with the force applied to the leading edge portions of thestalks downstream of the second junction inclined transversely to thatapplied to the leading edge portions of the stAlks upstream of thesecond junction; chopping the stalks transversely thereof intorelatively shorter lengths while the stalks are traveling inlongitudinal alignment with the direction of travel; raking the stalksin the upper part of the mass thereof at some point in their travel tospread the stalks; dropping the chopped stalk portions onto a pluralityof parallel longitudinal equally spaced ribs with alternate ones of theribs projecting vertically above the other of the ribs at a spacingapart a small amount greater than the length of the chopped portions ofthe stalk; directing the fluid through the stalks at some point in theirtravels to remove the trash therefrom; and delivering the alignedchopped sugarcane stalks to a work station for longitudinal splittingand depithing.
 3. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the step ofdirecting fluid through the stalks includes: transferring the choppedstalks onto downwardly inclined second conveyor means having aforaminous surface; applying suction internally of the conveyor means toadhere the trash to the foraminous surface of the conveyor means;delivering the stalks from a downstream end of the conveyor means whilecontinuing to apply suction to adhere the trash to the foraminoussurface of the conveyor means; ceasing suction at a point downstream ofthe point at which the cane stalks were delivered to cause the trash tofall from the conveyor means; and conveying the trash to a separatelocation.
 4. In a method wherein a mass of trash-containing randomlyoriented slender sugarcane stalks is prepared for subsequentlongitudinal splitting and depithing of each individual stalk, theimprovement which comprises: delivering the randomly oriented mass ofsugarcane stalks onto conveyor means; subjecting the mass of stalks to asudden vertical deflection at a first junction between two of theconveyor means in the series to cause the leading portions of individualstalks in the mass to experience an abrupt deflecting motion in thevertical direction and simultaneously subjecting the leading edgeportions of the stalk to a force in the direction of travel of theconveyor means downstream of the first junction tending to acceleratethe individual stalks in the direction of travel of the conveyor meansreceiving the stalks with the force aligned with the direction of travelof the conveyor means upstream of the first junction; subjecting themass of stalks to another sudden vertical deflection at a secondjunction between successive conveyor means in the series to cause theleading portions of individual stalks in the mass to experience anabrupt deflecting motion in a vertical direction and simultaneouslysubjecting the leading edge portions of the stalks to a force in thedirection of travel of the conveyor means downstream of the secondjunction with the force inclined transversely to the direction of travelof the conveyor means upstream of the second junction; wherein at thetime of reaching a final one in the series of conveyor means,substantially all of the stalks in the mass are aligned longitudinallyin the direction of travel of the final one of the conveyor means; andchopping the stalks transversely thereof into relatively shorter choppedlengths as the stalks are fed outwardly from the final one of theconveying means.
 5. A method as defined in claim 14, further includingthe step of: directing fluid through the mass of stalks at some pointduring their travel to remove trash mixed with the stalks.
 6. A methodas defined in claim 14 including an additional realigning stepsubsequent to the step of chopping the stalks, the realigning stepincluding: receiving the chopped lengths of stalks; and guiding thechopped lengths of the stalks into parallel longitudinal alignment onewith another.
 7. A method as defined in claim 16 wherein the step ofguiding the chopped lengths of the stalks includes: DROPPING the choppedlengths of stalk randomly into a plurality of parallel, longitudinallyextending first channels of greater transverse extent than that of thechopped length of the stalk, the channels being provided bylongitudinally and vertically extending sidewalls; diving dividing eachof the first channels into at least two, second longitudinally extendingchannels by providing at least one intermediate wall between and spacedbelow the sidewalls, each of the second channels being of lesstransverse extent than that of the chopped length of stalk whereby thechopped lengths fall from the first into the second channels; providingthird conveyor means beneath the walls to move the chopped lengths alongthe second channels; and converging the walls defining the secondchannels in the direction of motion of the third conveyor means toprogressively longitudinally align the chopped length of the stalk.
 8. Amethod as defined in claim 16 including the step of: directing fluidthrough the stalks at some point during their travel to remove trashmixed with the stalks.
 9. In a method wherein a mass of trash-containingrandomly oriented slender sugarcane stalks is prepared for subsequentlongitudinal splitting and depithing of each individual stalk, theimprovement which comprises: delivering the randomly oriented mass ofsugarcane stalks onto conveyor means; subjecting the mass of stalks to asudden vertical deflection at a first junction between two of theconveyor means in the series to cause the leading portions of individualstalks in the mass to experience an abrupt deflecting motion in thevertical direction and simultaneously subjecting the leading edgeportions of the stalk to a force in the direction of travel of theconveyor means downstream of the first junction tending to acceleratethe individual stalks in the direction of travel of the conveyor meansreceiving the stalks with the force aligned in the direction of travelof the conveyor means upstream of the first junction; subjecting themass of stalks to another sudden vertical deflection at a secondjunction between successive conveyor means in the series to cause theleading portions of individual stalks in the mass to experience anabrupt deflecting motion in a vertical direction and simultaneouslysubjecting the leading edge portions of the stalks to a force in thedirection of travel of the conveyor means downstream of the secondjunction with the force inclined transversely to the direction of travelof the conveyor means upstream of the second junction; accelerating themass along the conveyor means to cause the mass of stalks to becomethinned in the direction of travel; raking the upper portion of the massof stalks during travel to assist in thinning the mass in the directionof travel and to assist in spreading the mass of stalks laterally of thedirection of travel; chopping the stalks transversely thereof intorelatively shorter lengths, the chopping of the stalks including thesteps of: periodically gripping portions of the stalks between matingsurfaces moving in alignment with the stalks to advance the stalkslongitudinally; and severing the stalks transversely thereof while inthe gripped condition at a point rearwardly adjacent the gripped portionof the stalk; directing fluid through the stalks at some point duringtheir travel to remove trash, guiding the chopped stalks into parallellongitudinal alignment with one another; and delivering the alignedchopped stalks to a work station for longitudinal splitting anddepithing of the chopped stalks individually.
 10. A method of preparingcane stalks for subsequent processing, the method comprising the stepsof: dumping the stalks in a randomly oriented mass comprising at leastseveral tons, on conveyor means; accelerating the mass along theconveyor means to cause the mass of stalks to become thinned in thedirection of travel; raking the upper portion of the mass of stalksduring travel to assist in thinning the mass in the direction of traveland to assist in spreading the mass of stalks laterally of the directionof travel; providing at least one abrupt bend in the conveyor means atwhich the direction of travel downstream of the bend is substantiallytransverse to the direction of travel upstream of the bend to cause acentrifugal toppling effect to be exerted on stalks in the upper part ofthe mass thereof relative to stalks in the lower part thereof at thebend tending to spread the stalks laterally of the conveyor meansdownstream of the bend; aligning the stalks longitudinally in thedirection of travel of the conveyor means; whereby a flow of stalkssubstantially a single layer thick with individual stalks aligned in thedirection of feed of the conveyor means is achieved; and chopping thestalks transversely thereof into relatively shorter lengths, the step ofchopping the stalks including the steps of: periodically grippingportions of the stalks between resilient, mating surfaces moving inalignment with the stalks to advance the stalks longitudinally; andsevering the stalks transversely thereof while in the gripped conditionat a point rearwardly adjacent the gripped portion of the stalk.